The Honourable Peter MacKay, Minister of National Defence and Minister of the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency, on behalf of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities Minister, the Honourable Lawrence Cannon, along with the Honourable Gerard Greenan, Prince Edward Island Attorney General, today announced the renewal of the Confederation Bridge Policing Services Program for another five years.
As part of this extended agreement, the Government of Canada will provide a financial contribution of $1,342,000 to the Province of Prince Edward Island for the provision of policing services to the Confederation Bridge from April 1, 2008 to March 31, 2013.
“Our government has committed to put in place important measures to strengthen Canada’s public safety,” said Mr. MacKay. “The renewal of the Confederation Bridge Policing Services Program is part of our commitment to allow Canadians to live in safe and secure communities.”
Under the agreement, the Province of Prince Edward Island provides ongoing policing services for the Confederation Bridge, including preventive patrolling and timely response to all incidents requiring police presence.
“The government of Canada is committed to infrastructure safety and security for the benefit of all Canadians,” said Mr. Cannon. “The provision of policing services for the Confederation Bridge by the RCMP helps keep this transportation infrastructure safe for the movement of persons and goods.”
The agreement between the Government of Canada and the Province of Prince Edward Island to provide policing services for the Confederation Bridge was initially put in place in May 1997, and renewed in July 2000 and April 2003. The current extension will ensure the provision of policing services on the Confederation Bridge for another five-year period.
“The Confederation Bridge Policing Services Program, which was established following the opening of the bridge in 1997 has a positive impact on the safety of the traveling public,” said Mr. Greenan. “The Prince Edward Island government is pleased with the renewal of the agreement which provides ongoing policing services to our Province’s gateway.”
In 1993, Strait Crossing Development Inc. (SCDI) signed agreements with the Government of Canada to finance, design and construct a bridge across the Northumberland Strait between New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island. As part of the agreements, SCDI, as the developer, also agreed to operate and maintain the Confederation Bridge for a period of 35 years. Pursuant to these agreements, while the Government of Canada owns the Confederation Bridge, Strait Crossing Bridge Limited operates and maintains the bridge on behalf of its parent company, SCDI.
Funding for this project was provided for in the February 2008 budget and is therefore built into the current fiscal framework.